#(like they would’ve known the guidance would be misinterpreted like this. they did enable that)

[quixoticanarchy]

I’d like to clarify one thing about CDC’s updated covid guidelines (as of mid-August 2022): yeah imo they’re absurd and dangerous, but I’ve seen a particular misunderstanding float around that could make things worse. 

Quarantine and isolation are not the same thing. This point has been thoroughly confused by a lot of bad media coverage and messaging, but quarantine is for after you’ve been exposed; isolation is for after you test positive. CDC now says you no longer have to quarantine if you’ve been exposed, regardless of your vaccination status. To be perfectly clear I still think this is stupid, and they should recommend quarantining for at least 5 days after an exposure, if you’re able to do so. But the point I see people confused over is this: “CDC says you don’t have to quarantine if you have covid!” Technically, that’s true... but it’s because quarantine is about exposure, not having covid. CDC does still recommend that you isolate for 5 days after you test positive. (Again, I also think this is bad advice, and you should isolate for 10 days or at least until you test negative.) 

But a big reason I flag this is, for instance, if your boss says you can come to work with covid “because the CDC says so—” No. they do not. CDC still says that you should isolate if you have covid. Don’t let people use this confusion over quarantine/isolation to push for even more unsafe conditions, and don’t take it as carte blanche to be careless while you yourself are sick. 

Caveat: I wouldn’t be shocked, unfortunately, if CDC loosens their guidance even further in the future, and believe me I am well aware that people have been flouting the quarantine and isolation guidelines all along. But the point is, you should know the difference before it’s used against you, and so you can try to keep yourself safe[r]. 

#covidposting at work once again folks. sorry #I’ve just seen this misconception too often & i could see this being misused (whether intentionally or not) to put ppl even more at risk #‘cdc says you don’t have to quarantine if you have covid’ is missing the point bc they have never said that #you don’t quarantine if you have covid; you isolate. quarantine is about exposure #i'm very unhappy about cdc’s guidance don’t get me wrong!! but pls hate cdc accurately at least #(like they would’ve known the guidance would be misinterpreted like this. they did enable that) #coronavirus #public health #covid 19 #skravler #and yeah obv if your job wants to exploit you they will regardless but technically cdc's guidelines are not on their side